Abstract

Fruits and vegetables had been reported to be contaminated with different types of pathogenic organisms. A total of one thousand five hundred (1500) samples, consisting of fruits (750) and vegetable (750) were examined. Of these, 52.4% of fruits and 56.6 % of vegetables were contaminated with 7 parasites. The most common parasites were Entamoeba coli 11.9%, Entamoeba histolytica 17.9%, Ascaris lumbricoides 17.2%, Giardia lamblia 12.9%, Trichuris trichiura 17.7%, and Fasciola gigantica 6.6%, and Hook worm 15.5%. Base on location, the highest prevalence was obtained in Agbarho with a prevalence of 57.6%, followed by Igbudu with a prevalence of 56.4%. The least prevalence was recorded in Effurun with a value of 43.2%. Statistically, there was no significant difference in the prevalence in markets locations (P0.05; P = 0.3167; F = 1.293). The highest prevalence of parasitic contamination in vegetable was recorded for Telfairia occidentalis (Fluted pumpkin), with a prevalence of 78%, in Agbarho. Effurun had its prevalence peak for Talinum fruticosum (Waterleaf) with 64%. Igbudu had its peak value of 68% for Brassica oleracea (cabbage). Statistical ANOVA revealed that, there was no significant difference in the prevalence of vegetable in markets locations (P>0.05; P = 0.9651; F = 0.03564). The data in this study revealed the contamination of pathogens on our fruits and vegetable. There is a need for improved surveillance systems on fruits and vegetable for pathogens to reduce their public health burden.